How to rig Keitech Swing Impact Fat

[livemusic]

My first time trying Keitech Swing Impact Fat today, caught 7 bass in two hours. But lost 6! That drives me nuts, to lose bass. Poor hookset. I was using a very light rod, I wonder if that was the problem. I blamed it on not having the proper jighead. This was the 2.8 Fat. I was using a 1/16 oz Gamakatsu Perfect Finesse Worm Rig jig and just didn't seem to fit right. Where the hook point inserted the plastic body... it seemed too thin there. Like the hook was too long. I also have 3.8, 4.8 and 5.8 Fats in hand. I tried it on the 3.8 and it didn't seem like large enough hook. There didn't seem to be enough hook exposed when it came out the other side of the lure.

How do you guys rig these, what do you use? I was mostly using a steady, slow retrieve. Texas rigging should work, I guess I just need the right size hook.

Users comment about how fragile these are and, wow, is that correct. These baits tear up quick. I am going to try to find an alternate bait that works as well. I know some people say that it can't be found, that Keitechs are 'special.' But... this will get real expensive, they are so soft.

[Chance_Taker4]

Personally I only use them as swim jig trailers. 

[iabass8]

There really isnt an alternative. Pay to play. As for hooks, i use screw in 5/0 wide gaps for the 4.8 fats.

[Burtonxj]

I use VMC flat shad jig heads. I use BPS Speed Shads though. Keitechs are great but maybe give those a shot too.

[ChrisD46]

For 3.8 & 4.3 Fatties I am using a Gamakatsu 3/0 EWG (screw in) in 1/16th oz. or 1/8th oz. (depending on conditions) . This hook fits perfectly in the bait slits , so you won't have any issues . Hook up is improved as well and the presentation / action  using this set up is the best I found for fishing a Fat Swing Impact .  If moving up to a 4.8 Fatty I would use a 4/0  1/8th oz. weighted Gamakatsu EWG (screw in) hook which should fit perfectly in the bait hook slits ...  *No offense to those who use this bait as a swim jig or chatterbait trailer  - how ever I believe you can get by with something less expensive and just as good for the trailer application such as : A 3.5" Havoc Grass Pig , 3.5" Big Bites Cane Thumper , Zoom Swim'n Super Fluke Jr.  and a Reaction Innovations Little Dipper . Lastly , why mess with perfection coming from two types of internal weighted salted plastic which create such a tempting action and water movement via the Fat Swing Impact ? I believe the Fat Swing Impact is best fished alone on a weighted swimbait hook without possible interferance from a skirt in front of it ... The closest thing to an idiot proof bait you will find - use my method , count down to desired depth and reel slow and steady using 12 lb. - 15 lb. co - poly or FC line on a M F  - MH F baitcaster set up.

[Hogsticker]

A light action rod ain't gonna cut it. I'd suggest a medium power rod with a softish tip if you're using an exposed hook. A light action rod with a finesse hook is a recipe for loosing fish with this technique. I like this head for 3-4 inch paddle tails.

 

http://www.tacklewarehouse.com/Owner_Ultrahead_Inshore_Head_4pk/descpage-OUIH.html

[QUAKEnSHAKE]

MEND-IT is a money saver get some use it.

I use 1/8-3/8 jigheads

[Chris at Tech]

I'm relatively new to these baits but thus far I've only thrown them on an exposed hook like QUAKEnSHAKE's pic.  I've played around a bit with screwlock hooks to rig them weedlessly and it seems to be you need to use a bigger hook than you'd think to use so you have enough gap to get a good hookset.  Even for the 3.8's, I'd personally thrown them with a 5/0 if I was rigging weedlessly

[roadwarrior]

http://www.basspro.com/Buckeye-Lures-JWill-Swimbait-Head/product/1111190501002/

M/F or MH/F rod

 

[Delaware Valley Tackle]

I fish these on a simple ball head jig with a drop of super glue on the collar. Various head shapes have advantages in certain situations but these are simple fish catchers. 

[livemusic]

I wish I would have put into the OP that I must fish weedless. I would get hung up too much on underwater snags in my lakes.

The Keitechs I have are Fats, and it seems they are more of a problem to rig weedless than the Swing Impact. Today, I used a jighead that had a wire weedguard. It worked okay, still not ideal. Without a doubt, an exposed hook would be best but I know I would hang up too much.

[kickerfish1]

A jig head in open water or sparse to no vegetation while a keel weigthed 3/0 or 4/0 hook (similar to what you would use for the Rage rig) for areas with more vegetation.

[Airman4754]

In open water I use a jig head, for cover I use the Savage Gear screw in weighted hooks. 7'3" MH/F. Set the hook like you would on a big swimbait. Once you feel the bite, point your rod towards your lure, reel until you feel pressure, sweep the rod hard to the side. 

I use Keitech, Speed Shads, and Kicker Fish version of a Keitech. The only difference I notice is the price. They are all awesome in the spring and early summer. 

[webertime]

2.8's on a Keitech jig or Carolina rigged on a 1 EWG.

3.8 on a 2/0 EWG swimbait hook (screw lock, Damiki is the only common one I can find) or a swimjig.

4.8 on a 4/0 or 5/0 screw lock swimbait hook, chatterbait, Carolina Rigged on a 4/0.

5.8 on a 7/0 Swimbait hook.

 

These have been my most successful riggings.

[Chris at Tech]

12 hours ago, webertime said:

2.8's on a Keitech jig or Carolina rigged on a 1 EWG.

3.8 on a 2/0 EWG swimbait hook (screw lock, Damiki is the only common one I can find) or a swimjig.

4.8 on a 4/0 or 5/0 screw lock swimbait hook, chatterbait, Carolina Rigged on a 4/0.

5.8 on a 7/0 Swimbait hook.

 

These have been my most successful riggings.

No issues with landing %?  I've seen these same hook recommendations in several places but when I rig my 3.8s with a 2/0, i just cannot convince myself that there's enough bite for a good hookset.

[ErikmonBillsfon]

Exactly what ChrisD46 said. Like, I could copy and paste it. 3/0 twist lock Gama 1/8th or 1/16 on the 3.8s or 4.3s. Love the male perch, sungill, or bluegill flash colors. If your not using a twist lock and just a regular EWG it's going to rip. I fish in too much structure and weeds to use the open jig head 95% of the time.

[Dan_the_fisher]

In the applications to where you need a weedless presentation with the 3.8 and the 4.3, the vmc 3/16 rugby jig fits those perfectly! And you can slow roll it in rock piles for hours without losing one, it's my favorite way to fish them. I catch tons of smallmouth like this, when I feel the fish grab it I set the hook, reel in tight, and then I set the hook a second time. I rarely lose fish that way 

[webertime]

7 hours ago, Chris at Tech said:

No issues with landing %?  I've seen these same hook recommendations in several places but when I rig my 3.8s with a 2/0, i just cannot convince myself that there's enough bite for a good hookset.

None whatsoever, I do tend to swing for the fences when fishing them on a swimbait hook though and use deeper gapped hooks.  Always a Damiki (2/0), Eagle Claw Laser (4/0), Davis or Gammy (6/0).

[fishwizzard]

39 minutes ago, Dan_the_fisher said:

In the applications to where you need a weedless presentation with the 3.8 and the 4.3, the vmc 3/16 rugby jig fits those perfectly! And you can slow roll it in rock piles for hours without losing one, it's my favorite way to fish them. I catch tons of smallmouth like this, when I feel the fish grab it I set the hook, reel in tight, and then I set the hook a second time. I rarely lose fish that way 

This is the best I have come up with as well.  I use the 1/16oz ones on the 3.8 FIs, I think the smaller amount of weight keeps the action intact better when fishing them slowly and gives a little weight to help them dive and flounder a bit when you stop cranking.  This is one rigged up on a tail-less "tester" 3.8.  

I use the same jig for the 4" Impacts when I want a smaller presentation.